Greetings! Following reviews of three music selections are all worth listening to.
Tundra (Gidge)
The Swedish electronic music duo, Gidge’s latest single, “Tundra” is an homage to tundra. But why tundra? According to Gidge, “Tundra is a vast treeless plain in the Arctic regions where the subsoil is permanently frozen. By listening to the singles, the stillness as it is in the soundscape brings us to the scenery of in the subsoil”
Tundra is known as in the high latitudes surrounding the Arctic Ocean, the wilderness extends further north than the taiga. This wasteland or its vegetation.During summer, only the surface thaws to form wetlands where bryophytes and lichens grow. Found in Alaska, Canada, northern Siberia and other areas where the ground temperature is below freezing even in summer. The tundra in Japan exists (and is equivalent) on the summit of Mt Fuji.
The first time I listened to the music was when the time of keichitsu(upon the ancient twenty-four solor terms), which is the period of early to mid-March when it is to be explained that insects and botanicals are starting to awaken and move under the surface after winter hibernation. It is somehow reminiscent of words, “Pampa Humeda” and how this music landscape is created as a Mother Nature oasis.
The single contains soothing and profound five tracks that has an ambient electronic and touch of a balearic music style. Aesthetic sonic travel and stillness brings us wellness. As if you are healing in a shower of sonic landscape. Particularly the first track, Gausta takes on the quiet, broadened landscape. It might seem difficult to imagine Tundra without visiting and listening yet it is worth listening to explore the sonic tundra for your meta journey in daily life.
Gidge’s five track singles, “Tundra’ to be released on 26th April. Click here for the digital release.
Their 10th anniversary tour is scheduled in Europe from October 2024.
See Through: Live at Okurayama Memorial Hall (Kumi Takahara)
Kumi Takahara is a Japan based violinist and classical music elite, who academically trained in domestic Japan and Europe particularly in Vienna.
Takahara has been often collaborating with contemporary Japanese artists such as aus and World’s End Girlfriend. Thus Takahara seems to enhance more of the neo-classic style to the music. She recently participated in live performance tour in Southeast Asia with World’s End Girlfriend and the domestic local Japan as her own concert such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa.
The latest live album, “See Through: Live at Okurayama Memorial Hall” is recorded from one of her recent live performances. A piano by Takahara along with the five string players concerto at the heritability designed signature concert hall synergise a quality of intimate harmonics atmosphere blend with the beautiful sound and space between listeners. The elements serve a good manner for a proper listening concert.
The memorial hall is also known for Yokohama city’s designated tangible cultural properties and it has an ancient Greek influential architectural design meets Japanese authenticity from the 1930’s is absolutely stunning. The hall invites various classical concerts and local cultural events are held which are worth visiting.
The original “See Through” album is a beautiful neoclassical style album and each tracks have a delicate character that makes a silky smooth weave of almost ecstatic sonic scenery. This concert version of the album is certainly profound to listen to as a different sonic environment as well as paying attention to the artist’s progression.
If you are interested in both musically and architectural wise, it is worth checking Takahara’s YouTube channel which has a teaser of the live performance to experience the atmosphere, the accuracy, and melancholic transparency tone that herself and the production aim to deliver their art form.
Kumi Takahara’s “See Through: Live at Okurayama Memorial Hall” is available on CD/Digital Streaming.
Smoke (Eiko Ishibashi)
Smoke is the featured first single track from the original soundtrack of Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s latest film, “Evil Does Not Exist (悪は存在しない)”.
Known Ryusuke Hamaguchi is the award winning film director of “Drive My Car” and the soundtrack is still adored by many.
Eiko Ishibashi is the soundtrack producer for Hamaguchi’s both films and “Evil Does Not Exist “ Ishibashi took the role as sound producer of film production. It can be said that Ishibashi is one of the known Japanese contemporary artists and producers. Her artistic career was marked in Australia 2021 by exhibiting project as well as her current resident member of NTS radio.
“Smoke” is an undeniably matured high quality progressive jazz / drone music piece: with the layers of each sound are firmly defined and individually divinely orchestrated. It sinks into listeners internally and scenery – the music engages the listeners quietly like a smoke on a rainy day. By listening in, as if it sharpens our instincts and brings us back to the fundamentals organically.
(It is one’s perception, of course) also, although it may differ instruments yet somehow it reminisces of the cool complexities in a quality jazzy style of 70’s cult classic film soundtrack such as “The Conversations” and “Taxi Driver”.
There’s no doubt that Smoke is one of subtlety fine soundtrack music of the year. It brings us a sense of curiosity and look forward to listening to her new soundtrack album which will be released on 28th June. Click to listen “Smoke” on digital download.
The film, “Evil Does Not Exist” is already screening across the globe at cinema theaters and the film screenings are scheduled in Japan from 23rd April onward. For further info, please refer to the official film site or local theaters.
Round Pattern 